France’s Emilien Jacquelin shot clean for the first time since winning the Kontiolahti Sprint last December, taking a convincing 23:13.3 win in this evening’s Nove Mesto na Morave Men’s 10 km Sprint. Tonight’s win marked the two-time IBU Pursuit World Champion’s fifth career win and second sprint title this season.

“Not thinking about winning”

Jacquelin tried to not focus on the place but do a his best since after not feeling well yesterday. “The most important thing is not thinking about winning or podium. Today, I just focused on doing the best race I could. I felt a little bit sick yesterday; you can hear it in my voice. So today, I was just focused on, ‘maybe I am in not the best shape. I can still shoot clean. I can have the best pace I can all race long and we will what happens.’ No matter what I can do a good race, so I am happy I made it!”

Italy’s IBU WCH 20 km Silver medalist Tommaso Giacomel with one penalty powered through the last loop for second place, 19.8 seconds back. Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe, finished third, after two prone penalties bounced back with a clean standing stage for third place, 20.9 seconds back.

Jacquelin’s teammate, Lenzerheide Gold medalist Eric Perrot, finished fourth, 22.8 seconds back. Norway’s Endre Stroemsheim, with one penalty finished fifth, 27 seconds back. Sweden’s Jesper Nelin equaled, shooting clean his second-best ever result in sixth place. 32.8 seconds back.

The third trimester started with an adjusted start group setup compared to what has been used all season, due to today’s warm temperature that peaked at 16C. Accordingly, on this warm evening, using new 2024/25 IBU Rules, the top 15 athletes in the World Cup Total Score started alternately with 1,3, 5 and so on. Photos: IBU/Igor Stancik, Nordic Focus